Mardi Gras, about 70 years ago, New Orleans LA.

Amateur (silent) film from the Prelinger Archives: New Orleans Carnival Week, February 22, 1941. Mardi Gras this year is tomorrow, Tuesday February 24, 2009.

[#1 posted by Boeotian , February 23, 2009 6:17 PM]

Wow, they could use more fun back then. In my head, they sure had a lot more jazz in Mardi Gras from 41. But maybe there was, in another part of town. Anyway, I'll stick to my delusional misconception, as it seems so much better.

So, Mardi Gras is tomorrow? Here in Brazil we're having Carnaval too!

[#2 posted by obdan , February 23, 2009 6:20 PM]

What, not even one titty showing?

[#3 posted by Takuan , February 23, 2009 6:27 PM]

breasts hadn't been invented yet then.

[#4 posted by EH , February 23, 2009 6:47 PM]

Boeotian: Carnaval and Mardi Gras celebrate the same event.

[#5 posted by ihakes , February 23, 2009 7:04 PM]

Pffftt. Fake -- everyone knows the world was just black and white back then.

[#6 posted by buddy66 , February 23, 2009 7:56 PM]

#1Boeotian,

I send you greetings. N.O. and Rio don't compare. You're all WIN. Go get you some Samba, man!

[#7 posted by Boeotian , February 23, 2009 8:37 PM]

#6Buddy66,

Oh I'm getting it, as much as I can, trust me! Plenty of sun, samba, beer, women and fun around here since Saturday, which is the official 1st day of Carnaval here (but actually, it starts way before that!). Man, sometimes I love to live in Rio.

I'll have one for you, Cheers!

[#8 posted by stuhfoo , February 23, 2009 9:09 PM]

Rio sounds great... I'm stuck in the middle of a corn field of a state at uni :*(

[#9 posted by FoetusNail , February 24, 2009 5:14 AM]

Looking at happy images of any date in 1941, before Dec. 7th, always leaves me wondering, how many of those men will soon be dead or carrying their brother home.

[#10 posted by gtron , February 24, 2009 6:04 AM]

two comments above hint at the reality of the day ('black and white' and 'must be in another part of town where the fun is')... I looked closely, and these folks all seem white and well dressed, so most probably the fun starts farther down the parade, where the people with rhythm are (except for that kid in white leading the band - he's king of his own reality)

[#11 posted by noahpoah , February 24, 2009 6:49 AM]

where the people with rhythm are

You mean where the elegant people are?

[#12 posted by Grisly , February 24, 2009 7:31 AM]

Makes me wish I was boobie fishing in the quarter today.

[#13 posted by Anonymous , February 24, 2009 9:13 AM]

There are no titties or drunken debauchery because it's a children's parade! Louisiana does have standards... low as they may be, we still have them.

[#14 posted by The Unusual Suspect , February 24, 2009 11:21 AM]

Gtron: It's called the Second Line. It's where the "Indians" are, and they often sing something like:

"Takin' 'bout hey now, hey now

Iko iko an de'

Jackomo fe no anan e' , Jackomo fe nan e' "

(Lyrics from "Iko! Iko!" by The Dixie Cups)

[#15 posted by w000t , February 24, 2009 12:39 PM]

Something's wrong with the sound - I pumped the volume all the way, but still didn't hear "Yakety Sax."

[#16 posted by Todd Charske , February 25, 2009 4:03 PM]

Opinions are worse get 3 people in a room and there will be 4 opinions. Here's mine - They had some sense of morals back then. Very little if any today.

Todd Charske